ADDIS ABABA / HYDERABAD – Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline and one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation brands, has launched a new passenger route to Hyderabad, India, further deepening its presence in the South Asian market. The thrice-weekly service officially began on 16 June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s ongoing strategy to strengthen Africa–India air connectivity.
The new route makes Hyderabad Ethiopian Airlines’ sixth destination in India, alongside existing services to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. With this launch, the carrier now offers over 50 weekly flights to India, serving both passenger and cargo demand and positioning itself as a key connector between the African continent and India’s fast-growing economy.
At the launch, Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said the move is more than a route expansion—it’s a step toward stronger trade, investment, and tourism partnerships between the two regions.
“We are pleased to commence this new passenger service to Hyderabad, the sixth destination Ethiopian operates in India. We believe that beyond providing air transportation service, this new flight will play a pivotal role in strengthening trade and tourism ties between the two regions,” said Tasew.
He added that Hyderabad, known as a hub for pharmaceuticals, IT, and biotechnology, fits well into Ethiopian’s vision to connect Africa with global business and innovation centres.
“This route offers convenient passenger transport services, and Ethiopian will continue exploring new opportunities to expand its network in India and the region. As the continent’s top carrier with wide connectivity and world-class service, we remain dedicated to meeting the growing demand and fostering stronger partnerships across borders,” Tasew added.
The new flight is expected to boost passenger traffic and business ties between India and African countries, particularly those in East, West, and Southern Africa, where Ethiopian maintains strong operations. With Hyderabad now added, the airline provides direct access from India to Addis Ababa, which serves as a hub for connecting flights to more than 160 destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Ethiopian Airlines is one of the few African airlines with a multi-hub strategy, operating through partnerships with:
ASKY Airlines in Lomé, Togo
Malawi Airlines in Lilongwe
Zambia Airways in Lusaka
Air Congo in Kinshasa, DRC
These regional hubs enhance Ethiopian’s reach, making it easier for travelers from landlocked or underserved African countries to connect to India and other international markets.
Hyderabad joins a growing list of global cities in Ethiopian’s network, reinforcing its role as a major carrier in South-South cooperation, particularly between Africa and Asia. The service also supports the Africa-India trade corridor, which has seen increased interest in pharmaceuticals, technology, education, medical tourism, and agriculture.
India and Africa share deepening ties, with Indian investments in Africa exceeding $70 billion, and a growing number of African students and patients traveling to India for education and health services. The new Hyderabad flight provides a direct and efficient transport option for these segments, especially from Eastern Africa and landlocked nations that rely heavily on Ethiopian’s connectivity.
As the aviation industry rebounds globally, Ethiopian Airlines continues to lead African carriers in both recovery and innovation, having recently expanded its fleet, launched new destinations in Europe and Asia, and maintained profitability despite global headwinds.
The launch of Hyderabad is in line with Ethiopian’s 2035 Vision, which includes:
Expanding its network to over 200 destinations
Modernizing its fleet
Investing in aviation training and logistics infrastructure
Enhancing customer service with digital transformation
With a fleet of over 140 modern aircraft, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A350s, and Boeing 777 freighters, Ethiopian is well-positioned to support Africa’s growing travel and trade needs.
